THz photonic and plasmonic devices for sensing and communication applications

Terahertz (THz) radiation with spectral range from 0.1 to 10 THz (wavelength equivalent of 3 mm–30 μm) is of great interest in high data rate communication, biomedical diagnostics, security screening, chemical identifications, sensing, and space research. Developing building blocks such as room temperature THz emitters and detectors with wide-range tunability, compactness, low power, and simple alignment, as well as modulator and switches is necessary for realizing those applications. Plasmonic structures and devices based on low dimensional systems such as 2DEG and graphene have been demonstrated to have vast potential to serve as such building blocks. Moreover, plasmonic metasurfaces and metamaterials can be used for active or passive switches and modulators in THz spectral range. We will present recent advancements, challenges and prospect of novel THz photonic and plasmonic devices for sensing, imaging and communication applications.